Heat guard Dwyane Wade acknowledged that he apologized for breaking Kobe Bryant's nose with a hard foul in Sunday's All-Star Game, but he did it in the fashion that has become typical of the Heat -- burying it in comments that imply everyone is biased against the Heat's superstars.

"He knows it's no ill intent on me to do that," Wade said at Tuesday's practice. "Did I take a foul? Yes, I took a foul. So, talk about me for taking a foul. But I never wanted that kind of outcome."

Just when it appeared the Jets were ready to move on from all the controversy of the past two months, linebacker Bart Scott reportedly has been given permission to seek a trade after the 31-year-old became frustrated with his diminishing role in the team's defense.

Kevin Durant scored 34 points and was the MVP of the All-Star Game as the West held off the East in Orlando Sunday night, 152-149, but the lasting image was that of Kobe Bryant suffering a nasal fracture after a hard foul from Dwyane Wade in the third quarter.

Bryant, who scored 27 points to become the All-Star Game's career leader in points with 271 (passing Michael Jordan), finished the game after wiping away some blood. He skipped the postgame press conference after reportedly experiencing headaches and is expected to see a specialist.

Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban is a popular target of Bruins fans mainly due to his habit of embellishing in an attempt to draw a penalty. Apparently, he saves his hardest play for practice. According to a report on TSN, Subban was involved in a confrontation with teammate David Desharnais at Thursday's practice.

The report indicates Subban dumped Desharnais to the ice, and Desharnais responded by cross checking and slashing Subban before teammates stepped in to prevent the situation from getting worse.

New Angels slugger Albert Pujols is not pleased with the team's marketing campaign. The club unveiled 20 billboards around Southern California that picture Pujols with the words "El Hombre" -- Spanish for "The Man." Out of respect for Cardinals legend Stan "The Man" Musial, Pujols has said he does not want to use the nickname.

"I haven't talked to them, but I prefer not to use [El Hombre]," Pujols said Wednesday from spring training in Tempe, Ariz.

Even after a loss, the legend of Jeremy Lin continues to grow. Nets forward Kris Humphries, who is regularly booed at NBA arenas following his separation from reality TV star Kim Kardashian, said Lin offered support to him after Lin's Knicks lost on Monday to New Jersey.

Carmelo Anthony returned to the Knicks lineup Monday night after missing seven games, and it went as many New York fans feared. The Knicks fell to the Nets, 100-92, as Deron Williams scored 38 points in living up to a personal challenge to outplay Jeremy Lin, who had 21 points and nine assists.

Following a racially insensitive Jeremy Lin headline that briefly appeared on ESPN's mobile website early Saturday morning, the media giant announced Sunday that it had fired the individual responsible. The network also suspended ESPNews anchor Max Bretos 30 days for using the phrase on air.

Following an off game by Lin, the site used the headline: "Chink in the Armor: Jeremy Lin’s 9 Turnovers Cost Knicks in Streak-stopping Loss to Hornets."

The Red Sox announced Friday that Dr. Charles Steinberg, who served as executive vice president/public affairs for the Red Sox from 2002 through 2007, will return to the team as senior advisor to the president/CEO.

Steinberg left the Sox in 2007 for the Dodgers, serving as executive vice president/public relations and marketing until 2010, when he became a senior advisor to commissioner Bud Selig.

LeBron James, back in his home state for Friday's game against the Cavaliers, said he would not rule out returning to Cleveland later in his career, despite the messy breakup two years ago.

"I don't know. I think it would be great," he said. "It would be fun to play in front of these fans again. I had a lot fun times in my seven years here. You can't predict the future and hopefully I continue to stay healthy. I'm here as a Miami Heat player, and I'm happy where I am now, but I don't rule that out in no sense.